For less than the cost of owning a New York City apartment or going to university, you could have no less than a whole private island all to yourself. The odd economy of private island-grabbing is as surprisingly accessible as it is exclusive.

There are islands around the world up for sale, and if you do manage buy up one of these secluded corners of paradise, you'll be in the company of wealthy celebrities like Mel Gibson, Tyler Perry, and Celine Dion.

Here are 9 islands up for sale that might cost less than you'd expect: